Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he will undergo isolation after being tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) Tuesday.

“The result of my RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test today, 06 April 2021, came up positive. I will be undergoing isolation, following the quarantine guidelines to avoid infecting others. Those who have been exposed to me have been informed. They have been advised to isolate and get tested for Covid-19 as well,” he said in a statement.

Lorenzana said the DND will continue to operate with a skeleton workforce to ensure continuity of service, with the prescribed health protocols strictly enforced.

“I would like to remind everyone that the threat of the virus is as real as ever, more so now due to the new variants. Let us all cooperate and abide by the prescribed health protocols to help in curbing the spread of Covid-19,” Lorenzana said.

Last year, the DND chief tested negative for Covid-19 in March and April after coming into close contact with people infected with the virus.